5 footballers who outshone their fathers

"You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son."

Superman's quote is a beautiful reminder of the relationship between father and son. Every father wants nothing more than for the family legacy to live on.

When it comes to football, nothing makes them more proud than to see their son make their professional debut, win a few games and lift a trophy or two.

However, there are a few sons who had far more successful careers than their fathers. We look at five such players who outshone their fathers.

1) Paolo Maldini and Cesare Maldini

Paolo Maldini (L) with his father Cesare Maldini

Cesare Maldini was a football legend in his own right. Having spent 12 of his 15-season-long career at AC Milan, the defender won four Serie A titles and a European Cup.

Of course, he wasn't exactly a 'defender' in the modern sense. Back then the player positioned in front of the goalkeeper played behind the defence as a sweeper (the libero). Cesare grew to become one of Italy's finest defenders of all-time with an all-round game that allowed him to not only thwart attacks but also initiate them from the back.

When his son Paolo Maldini burst on to the scene at the age of 16 as a full-back, comparisons were made before he eclipsed his father's achievements.

Under the tutelage of the legendary Arrigo Sacchi, Paolo became a crucial member of the Immortals and later the Invincibles under Fabio Capello which went 58 matches unbeaten and reached three consecutive Champions League finals.

By the time Paolo hung up his boots at the end of a 25-year career, he had won seven Serie A titles and five European Cups/Champions League titles. In all, he had made 902 appearances for Milan and 126 appearances for Italy.